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Those who began the transcendentalist movement valued an ideology that is endlessly significant to understanding how to allow ourselves the gift of existential freedom. What that means to my understanding is to identify your ideal self down to your core beliefs and values, which requires familiarizing oneself on an intimate and deep level; a level that is free of outside influence. I believe it is an honorable thing to be able to allow yourself to delve into your passions and allow yourself to pave a path to becoming your ideal self through channeling your values into the actions of your life. Both the fathers of the transcendentalist movement Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau valued the opportunity to connect with one’s mind while alone in nature. According to the two great minds of Emerson and Thoreau, the invaluable gift of solitude provided in nature’s surroundings allows for the clarity to introspectively identify who you are and what it is you are meant to do. According to the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, they concur that Emerson grasped beliefs influenced by three Kantian claims, which are: "the human mind “forms” experience; that the existence of such mental operations is a counter to skepticism; and that “transcendental” does not mean “transcendent” or beyond human experience altogether, but something through which experience is made possible". The Cambridge Companion to Henry David Thoreau is a published work that details the life of Thoreau, mentioning that was heavily influenced by Emerson's works, then went on to publish his own works that he received criticism for from the religious authorities for his themes of paganism, which did not stop him from writing and eventually led to one of his biggest literary successes "Walden" to which we read in our own class. The story of "Walden" entails the experiences of living in the woods and being self-reliant for survival thus revealing his true self away from the distractions of ordinary life, enthusiastically suggesting that it is only yourself that can reveal who it is you are meant to become.
How does one learn to exist as a self-reliant idiosyncratic individual? It can be as easy a unlearning the need to be accepted in society, and rather to learn to accept one's self.

In today’s world, it can be observed that those who partake in social media are captivated by the idea of rising up to meet the expectations and image of our society’s current trends. Although social media can be used to inspire others to be unique and creative, some of the most followed “influencers” create content in order to gain vast amounts of favorable attention. Platforms such as Instagram are infamous for their advertisements of cookie-cutter contoured models and celebrities in differing variations of the same fashion styles which ultimately affects the minds of impressionable users who strive to match this so-called desirable self-image. In an article by Grace College regarding how social media alters our perception of reality, they mention that depression and low self-esteem are linked to social media use due to the value of getting "likes", and how discouraging it can be to be without them. Social media has a reputation for being a platform for highlighting ideal moments, creating a facade or a false image of how lives actually are in a non-picturesque light. Luckily, there are still some individuals on social media who portray themselves in ways that channel their talents, interests, and their beliefs in a way that does not exist for the sole purpose of gaining “likes”. There is a constant glamorization of living lavish, fun-filled, and picture perfect lives which takes away from the actual point of living which is being present in your experiences consciously instead of for the camera's sake. There are countless artists, poets, authors, celebrities, and other human beings without labels who maintain their sense of individuality in this world that seeks a very specific image of what is beauty and success. In hopes of inspiring you all to be true to yourself, I intend to shed some light on several influential non-conforming individuals who carved their own sense character without the need for public acceptance.

(Image below is of trending Instagram make-up)

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7 Timeless "Transcendentalist" and "Non-conformist" Quotes to cultivate the spirit of one's unique capabilities:

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7 Timeless "Transcendentalist" and "Non-conformist" Quotes to cultivate the spirit of one's unique capabilities:

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1. "Do not follow where the path may lead. Go, instead, where there is no path and leave a trail." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

2. "The only person you are destined to become, is the person you decide to be." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

3. "Is it so bad then to be misunderstood? Pythagoras was misunderstood, and Socrates, and Jesus, and Luther, and Copernicus, and Galileo, and Newton, and every pure and wise spirit that ever took flesh. To be great is to be misunderstood." - Ralph Waldo Emerson (Self-Reliance)

4. "What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lives within us." - Henry David Thoreau

5. "This world is but a canvas to our imagination." - Henry David Thoreau

6. "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."  - Dr. Seuss

7. "Conformity is the jailer of freedom, and the enemy of growth." - John F. Kennedy

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Celebrities in today's society that embody the non-conformist attitude of the transcendentalist movement:

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Celebrities in today's society that embody the non-conformist attitude of the transcendentalist movement:

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As I mentioned renowned individuals that shape current society's standards, there are endless amounts of people who during their own time were trailblazing figures in the same sense.
Consider the perseverance of some living organisms in nature such as trees: even when lightning strikes, when limbs break, when the long winter stunts its' growth, unless the tree itself has died it can only choose to continue its' growth towards the sun. In a way, trees can inspire us to move forward despite life's inevitable drawbacks.
It is not impossible for you to have the same effect on the world.
Here are some reminders of how you can embody your true self:

1. Identify your beliefs, dreams, and values to reveal a clear image of who you intend to be from now on.
2. Remember what you have identified about yourself and who you will be every day of your life, allowing for moments of self-reflection of your progress.
3. Move forward: do not fear the loneliness of forging your own path, be inspired by the direction you are going.